Mornington Peninsula

The geology of the Peninsula is dominated by a large volcanic ridge peaking at 300 metres at Arthurs Seat and declining eastwards to Balnarring. On the South side of the ridge are several spurs extending to the south towards Flinders, Shoreham and Merricks.

Vineyards on the eastern side of these spurs find shelter from the prevailing South westerlies that bring cooler, inclement weather during spring. Towards the East, as elevations decrease, there are vineyards on volcanic, iron rich soils that have good water holding and rarely need irrigation. To the North, the soils change to sandy clay based soils that are less fertile, with less water holding capacity and suffer from increased stress in drier vintages.

Locals generally refer to three broad viticultural zones. Elevated, volcanic soils vineyards of Red Hill and Main Ridge, the volcanic foothill vineyards including Merricks, Merricks North, Balnarring and Dromana and warmer, sandy vineyards in the North around Tuerong and Moorooduc. Of course, these are generalisations, but for now they provide a framework to help us better understand the character of our vineyards.